City Comparison

Burlington vs Hong Kong

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Burlington

Vermont
118
Above Average
$380,000
Median Home
$1,800/mo
Median Rent
$51,098
Median Income

Hong Kong

Hong Kong
107
Above Average
$1.1M
Median Home
$2,350/mo
Median Rent
$42,000
Median Income

The Verdict

10.3%

The cost gap between these cities is 10.3%, with Hong Kong being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Burlington has equivalent purchasing power to $68,008 in Hong Kong.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
139
Burlington
195
Hong Kong
Groceries
108
Burlington
105
Hong Kong
Utilities
115
Burlington
92
Hong Kong
Transportation
98
Burlington
78
Hong Kong
Healthcare
116
Burlington
65
Hong Kong

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Burlington has the same purchasing power as $68,008 in Hong Kong.

Conversely, $75,000 in Hong Kong equals $82,710 in Burlington.

Living in Burlington vs Hong Kong

Housing Costs

Burlington's housing index of 139 is lower Hong Kong's 195, translating to median home prices of $380,000 vs $1.1M. The $720,000 difference in home prices means roughly $46,800 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,800/mo in Burlington compared to $2,350/mo in Hong Kong, a monthly difference of $550.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 108 in Burlington and 105 in Hong Kong. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $513/month in Burlington vs $499/month in Hong Kong. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 115 in Burlington and 92 in Hong Kong. Monthly utility bills average approximately $460 in Burlington vs $368 in Hong Kong. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 116 in Burlington and 65 in Hong Kong. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 51-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $51,098 in Burlington and $42,000 in Hong Kong. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $43,303 and $39,252 respectively. Burlington residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,192/month to housing in Burlington vs $980/month in Hong Kong. In Burlington, median rent of $1,800/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Hong Kong, median rent of $2,350/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 56 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Hong Kong is 10.3% more affordable overall with an index of 107 vs 118.
A $75,000 salary in Burlington has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $68,008 in Hong Kong, based on the cost of living difference.
Burlington's housing index is 139 with median homes at $380,000, while Hong Kong's is 195 with median homes at $1.1M.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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